Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'spool'

English Word: spool

Key Russian Translations:

• шпуля [ʃpuˈlja] - [Formal, Technical]
• бобина [bɐˈbʲinə] - [Informal, General use]

Frequency: Low (This word and its translations are not commonly encountered in everyday Russian conversation but may appear in technical or specialized contexts like sewing or engineering.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate; requires familiarity with Russian noun declensions and technical vocabulary. The word 'шпуля' may be slightly more challenging due to its less common usage, while 'бобина' is more straightforward.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

шпуля: [ʃpuˈlja]

бобина: [bɐˈbʲinə]

Note on шпуля: The initial 'ш' sound is a voiceless postalveolar fricative, similar to the 'sh' in English 'shoe'. Pay attention to the stress on the second syllable, which can vary slightly in fast speech.

Note on бобина: The 'б' is a voiced bilabial stop, and the 'й' softens the preceding consonant, making it sound more fluid. This word is often pronounced with a slight emphasis on the first syllable in informal settings.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: A cylindrical device for winding thread, wire, or film (e.g., in sewing or manufacturing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шпуля - Used in technical or formal contexts, such as machinery or engineering, to refer to a spool for thread or wire.
• бобина - Common in everyday or informal contexts, like sewing or electronics, often implying a larger or more general spool.

Usage Examples:

• Я намотал нить на шпулю. (Ya namotal nit' na shpulyu.)

  I wound the thread onto the spool. (This example shows the noun in a simple declarative sentence, emphasizing basic object usage in a crafting context.)

• Эта бобина провода уже полная. (Eta bobina provoda uzhe polnaya.)

  This spool of wire is already full. (Demonstrates the word in a possessive structure, highlighting capacity in an everyday scenario.)

• В швейной машине сломалась шпуля. (V shveynoy mashine slomalas' shpulya.)

  The spool broke in the sewing machine. (Illustrates the word in a problem-solving context, with a focus on mechanical failure.)

• Купи новую бобину для плёнки. (Kupi novuyu bobinu dlya plyonki.)

  Buy a new spool for the film. (Shows the word in an imperative sentence, related to photography or recording.)

• Шпуля на фабрике работает без остановки. (Shpulya na fabrike rabotaet bez ostanovki.)

  The spool on the factory machine works without stopping. (This example places the word in an industrial setting, demonstrating its use with action verbs.)

Meaning 2: In computing, a queue for print jobs (less common in general English but possible)

Translation(s) & Context:

• шпуля - Rarely used in this sense; more technical and borrowed from English contexts in Russian IT jargon.

Usage Examples:

• Печать поставлена в шпулю. (Pechat' postavlena v shpulyu.)

  The print job is in the spool. (This shows the word adapted to computing, in a queue-related context.)

• Очистите шпулю принтера. (Ochistite shpulyu printera.)

  Clear the printer spool. (Illustrates imperative use in technical troubleshooting.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Both 'шпуля' and 'бобина' are feminine nouns in Russian, following standard first-declension patterns. They undergo regular inflection based on case, number, and gender. Below is a table outlining the key inflections for 'шпуля' (as an example; 'бобина' follows similar rules).

Note: These inflections are regular, but 'шпуля' may have slight variations in technical contexts. 'Бобина' inflects similarly: e.g., Nominative Singular: бобина, Genitive Plural: бобин.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • катушка (katushka) - Similar to 'бобина', often used interchangeably for a spool or reel.
  • барабан (baraban) - More for larger spools, with a connotation of drum-like structure.
• Antonyms:
  • распутывание (rasputyvanie) - Not a direct antonym, but implies unraveling or undoing, contrasting the winding action.

Brief note: 'Катушка' is often preferred in fishing contexts, highlighting subtle differences in application.

Related Phrases:

• Намотать на шпулю (Namotat' na shpulyu) - To wind onto a spool; used in crafting or manufacturing.
• Бобина ленты (Bobina lenty) - Spool of tape; common in recording or packaging contexts.
• Пустая шпуля (Pustaya shpulya) - Empty spool; refers to a spool without material, often in supply management.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'шпуля' is more precise for technical or mechanical contexts, directly corresponding to the English 'spool' in sewing machines, while 'бобина' is broader and can apply to electrical or industrial spools. Choose 'шпуля' for formal writing or engineering discussions, and 'бобина' for everyday conversation. Be mindful of noun gender (feminine) and always decline according to case for grammatical accuracy. In computing contexts, 'шпуля' is a direct borrowing and may not be as idiomatic as in English.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using 'шпуля' interchangeably with 'бобина' without considering context. For example, learners might say "Я купил бобину для швейной машины" when 'шпуля' is more appropriate.

  Correct: "Я купил шпулю для швейной машины." (I bought a spool for the sewing machine.) Explanation: 'Шпуля' is specific to thread-winding devices, while 'бобина' might imply a larger reel, leading to confusion in precision tools.

• Error: Forgetting to decline the noun in sentences, e.g., saying "В машине шпула" instead of "В машине шпуля" (correct for nominative).

  Correct: "В машине сломалась шпуля." Explanation: Russian requires case agreement; improper declension can make the sentence sound unnatural or incorrect.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, terms like 'шпуля' and 'бобина' are often associated with traditional crafts such as sewing and textile work, which have historical significance in Russian folklore and daily life. For instance, in rural areas, winding thread on a 'шпуля' might evoke images of homemade clothing during Soviet times, symbolizing resourcefulness and manual labor.

Related Concepts:

• катушка
• барабан
• проволока (provodka) - Wire